Jack Robinson, retired U.S. Marine and recipient of many awards for his various research projects dealing with southeastern North Carolina will share his adventures through this site. Topics will evolve around 19th and 20th Century history issues dealing with African Americans and "Endangered" cemeteries within Onslow County near Richlands, Swansboro, Topsail Island or other communities in the region. Tips on preserving family and little known histories will also be discussed.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

"Drive off the main road; drive through the open field; drive through the crop field; then, avoiding getting stuck on the muddy dirt path, drive in between the hog farm; avoiding the ruts in the road. You will then come to a small cemetery on the left."

A) View of Brick Mill Cemetery January 2007

B) Looking from center of cemetery to tree line

C) View of from far side of cemetery

During January and February of 2014, southeastern North Carolina had received not-less-then three harsh rainstorms along with some unseasonal heavy snow falls. These weather conditions caused the dirt road to the cemetery to be extremely muddy and nearly impassable. Sometime during the month of January, in between the bad weather conditions and while the dirt road was muddy, a burial took place within the Brick Mill Cemetery; which has been used continuously since ca.1900.

As the cemetery's caretaker, I was not informed of the burial in January. Contacting me is not required but, it would have been a courteous gesture of my work at this and other cemeteries.

For instance, since over 40% of graves within this cemetery are unmarked, I could have assisted in "suggesting" where to place the newest grave. During previous recent burials we were able to place family members with their Ancestors with little disturbance to the older graves.

Another area where I could have been of assistance was to inform the grave diggers as to where to place any leftover dirt from the grave hole. As the images below indicate, excess dirt was placed precariously next to an older grave. In time, due to future weather conditions, this extra dirt, if not removed, will easily cover the older grave marker.

In time, this excess dirt could cover this headstone

Newly placed grave with no markers. I place an American flag near the front of the grave. Animals have been known to carry flowers away from gravesites, leaving only a flat area with no indication of being a gravesite.

Also, notice how the newest grave is not properly marked; not even with a traditional "temporary" grave marker. In time, hopefully, a headstone will be placed on this grave. If not, however, it too will become one of the 40% of unmarked graves within the Brick Mill Cemetery.I will close this post by showing the entrance to the historic Brick Mill Cemetery as it appears during the first week of February 2014. Please note that since these images another heavier snow storm left the path with over seven inches of wet snow. In time, this snow, as it melts, will cause the ground to be even softer and less passable.

Path in between the two major hog pens

Only route to the Brick Mill Cemetery.

Heavy duty truck that brought casket to newest grave site cause tremendous damage to the dirt path to the cemetery. In the distance you can see the path continuing through the two primary hog pens.

About Me

I am a retired U.S. Marine who, due to my college degrees, conduct research dealing with our local history within southeastern North Carolina.

I have been the subject of many southeastern newspaper and magazine articles and received numerous awards for preserving the history of southeastern North Carolina.

Currently, and mostly at my own time, labor and expense, I am locating old "endangered" cemeteries, some dating to pre-1800. I clean the over-growth of foliage, document cemetery site for protection, and maintain each cemetery the best that I can with my budget. I also present my findings to the general public and educate individuals about information that I have collected.

Nearly fifty veterans (all African American) from the Spanish American war to Vietnam have been rediscovered and properly recognized for their sacrafices. Over seventy "former" slaves also have been identified. Veterans laid to rest within these and other yet to be found cemeteries need to be recognized for their sacrifices.